Welcome to daybreak above the clouds, with the Aiguilles Rouges mountains to the right and Les Aiguilles de Chamonix to the left. Thousands of feet below, Chamonix was awakening to an overcast morning. But I was able to start the day in brilliant Alpine sunshine.

You'll notice different lighting in my Aiguille du Midi photos. That's because I visited twice—once each in the morning and afternoon. After my amazing experience the first afternoon, I had to return the next morning. I awoke early on this day specifically to catch the first cable car to the top. There were only three of us onboard, and until the next car arrived 20 or 30 minutes later, we were the only people on top of the mountain (the only tourists, anyway).